Paola Pollmeier | COLOMBIA + GERMANY | M.Sc. in Global Management & Governance | Founder PLATOS SIN FRONTERAS | Innovation and Network Advisor
With over a decade of experience initiating, driving, and leading public, private, and social innovation networks, projects, and teams, Paola Pollmeier is a dynamic force in the field of social entrepreneurship. She brings her extensive expertise in social innovation and citizen participation to empower bottom-up community projects that directly transform and enhance the quality of life for marginalized communities.
As a seasoned social entrepreneur, innovation and smart city advisor, Paola is the visionary founder and director of the Colombian foundation, Platos sin Fronteras. Her current projects represent the culmination of her profound personal journey. Paola began her career in the private sector in Germany as an innovation consultant, later transitioning to the public sector in Medellín. In her role as the open innovation and citizen participation lead at the public science, technology, and innovation center, she spearheaded the groundbreaking Cities for Life program—a network of cities that championed the transformative power of citizen co-creation. This initiative successfully expanded to four countries, Peru, Mexico, France, and Ecuador.
Driven by her desire to gain a deeper understanding of the essence of citizen co-creation, Paola decided to immerse herself in the community itself. Seeking firsthand experience, she began volunteering in the vulnerable neighborhood in Medellín. It was there that she became acutely aware of the alarming levels of malnutrition among citizens, particularly women and children. Recognizing the profound impact of food and nutrition, Paola realized that by fostering knowledge in these areas, she could effect significant change. This revelation motivated her to establish PLATOS SIN FRONTERAS—a food movement dedicated to providing nutrition education for families and fostering a strong connection to local, fresh, and nutritious food. Through this initiative, Paola harnesses the power of food to strengthen community bonds, promote health and well-being, and create new employment opportunities.
Paola's unwavering belief in the importance of nutrition for all drives her commitment to equity and inclusivity. She passionately advocates for collaborative efforts to ensure that nutrition becomes accessible to everyone, irrespective of their circumstances. With her visionary leadership, Paola endeavors to empower communities and foster a world where no one is left behind.
